Adam Sparks joins the show to convince every educator to ditch AI-detection tools and focus on what really matters: the writing process. We discuss alternatives to AI-detection like Brisk, Draftback, revision history tracking, and Short Answer and share actionable strategies to teach writing effectively in the age of AI. From fostering transparency with students to leveraging powerful tools for formative assessment, this conversation is packed with insights to elevate your writing instruction. Plus: Instant Pear Decks, Canva Dream Lab, and new Google Forms Settings.

#EduDuctTape Episode 114

Today's Sponsors

VIZOR - vizor.cloud/jake
Swivl - MirrorTalk.ai

SoapBox Moment - "Cholesterol, Cheating, and Heartaches from AI-Detection Tools"

"The Basement Tapes" from the Revisionist History podcast by Malcolm Gladwell - pushkin.fm/podcasts/revisionist-history/the-basement-tapes
Adam Spark's blog on AI Detection - adamsparks.substack.com/p/ai-detection-doesnt-work-heres-the

Today's Guest: Adam Sparks taught for 7 years before recently finishing his Masters in Learning Design and Technology at Stanford. At Stanford, Adam designed a writing tool called Short Answer that he now builds full time. As a part of his work with Short Answer, Adam leads PD with schools across the country on adjusting writing instruction in the wake of AI.
Contact Info: Email: adam@myshortanswer.com, Website: myshortanswer.com, Twitter: @mrsparkstweets Bluesky: @adamsparks.bsky.social

2 Truths & 1 Lie

"Everything works somewhere; nothing works everywhere." - Dylan William in his book Creating the Schools Our Children Need

Educational Duct Tape Question: How should educators teach & assess writing in the age of AI? Also, should we use AI-Detection Tools?

First, why not use AI Detection tools?

NAEP Scores
Adam' blog on AI Detection - adamsparks.substack.com/p/ai-detection-doesnt-work-heres-the
Debora Weber-Wulff's article - arxiv.org/abs/2306.15666
U of Maryland study - "Is AI-Generated Content Actually Detectable?" - cmns.umd.edu/news-events/news/ai-generated-content-actually-detectable
Open AI blog post - help.openai.com/en/articles/8313351-how-can-educators-respond-to-students-presenting-ai-generated-content-as-their-own

Free Alternatives

Revision History
Draftback - chromewebstore.google.com/detail/draftback/nnajoiemfpldioamchanognpjmocgkbg?hl=en-US&pli=1
Brisk - briskteaching.com/ai-tools/inspect-writing

Clear classroom policies

AI Assessment scale webinar with Leon Furze & Mike Perkins: myshortanswer.com/assessing-writing-in-the-age-of-ai-the-case-for-assessment-scales
AI use scale (red, yellow, green, for example)
"Everything works somewhere; nothing works everywhere." - Dylan William in his book Creating the Schools Our Children Need
Anna Mills on Blue Sky - bsky.app/profile/annamillsoer.bsky.social
Academic integrity

Shortform, formative, targeted, in-class writing

Dylan William
Short Answer - myshortanswer.com
Dylan Wiliam webinar recording: myshortanswer.com/webinar-recording-for-ai-k12-assessment-a-conversation-with-dr-dylan-wiliam

Edu News I've Got My Peepers On:

AI-Generated Lessons in Pear Deck - Stacey Roshan's tutorial - youtu.be/G7hpt8vtZHk?si=5qdVPI41pofK-LHh&t=42
Canva Dream Lab - canva.com/newsroom/news/droptober-education-2024
New Google Forms Control Options - workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2024/12/add-granular-control-to-google-forms.html

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